Barry Kornblau Named The 2014 Bud Metheny Recipient

January 09, 2014
By ODU Athletics

NORFOLK, VA— Barry M. Kornblau, a 1971 graduate of Old Dominion University who has been an active board member, volunteer, sponsor of the baseball banquet celebrity and donor, has been named the 37th recipient of the 2014 Bud Metheny Award for his contributions to ODU baseball. Kornblau will be honored as part of the annual ODU Baseball Banquet at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel on Jan. 31st which begins with a social at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Hall of Fame Pitcher Don Sutton will be the keynote speaker.

“I am very appreciative of this honor which bears the name of Bud Metheny, who epitomized class, ” says Kornblau. ”I have a tremendous love and commitment for the Old Dominion University baseball program and its traditions and I look forward to this upcoming season as the Monarchs compete in their inaugural Conference USA season.”

Kornblau was appointed to the ODU Board of Visitors on July 1, 2007, and reappointed to a second

four-year term on July 1, 2011 where he is currently serving as Vice Rector. He also served on ODU’s Board of Visitors from 1997 to 1999. Kornblau retired as Chairman and CEO of Summit Realty Group, Inc., based in Richmond. He was Senior Vice President and Director of Apartment Operations for United Dominion Realty Trust from January 1991 through March 1998 and served on the Trust’s Board of Directors from 1993-2001.

He has served on the ODU Alumni Association Board of Directors and the ODU Educational and Athletic Foundation Boards of which he is a current board member and past chairman . In June of 2004, the Barry M. Kornblau Alumni Center was named in recognition of his generous gift to the Alumni Association to transform the former Public Safety Building into a beautiful welcome center for visiting alumni.

“All of us associated with the Old Dominion University Baseball program are so pleased to see Barry receive this year’s Bud Metheny award,” said ODU head baseball coach Chris Finwood. “Barry has been a constant in the ODU baseball program for many years and has remained involved in all aspects of the university as he continues to support not only our baseball program, but many other athletics and academic programs as well. I am proud to call Barry a friend and I am constantly impressed by both his and his wife Mary's commitment and support to ODU. Barry is an alumnus who we should all be very proud to call our own.”

Kornblau was a founder and director of Commerce Bank of Virginia until it was acquired by Southtrust Bank, and is a former trustee of the Steward School. He is a former president of the Richmond Apartment Council and has been an instructor in the Richmond area for various property management

courses. He is a real estate broker, a Certified Property manager, and a Registered Apartment Manager.

Barry and his wife Mary reside in Glen Allen, Virginia.

Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton will serve as the keynote speaker for the annual banquet. Individual tickets are $65 each with a special $45 rate for groups or teams of 20 more more. Table sponsorships, which include amenities such as VIP reception with the headliner and autographed baseballs, are also available. To purchase tickets or tables, please contact the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation (ODAF) at 683-6964.